Palestinians rejoice as Arafat arrives in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNN) -- The town of Bethlehem plays a
significant role in Christian history. Saturday it also
played a major role in Palestinian history.

Thousands attended a rally Saturday to celebrate the
withdrawal of Israeli troops from Bethlehem, the sixth West
Bank city to be handed over to the Palestinians. The
withdrawal, made official on Thursday, marked the end of
Israel's 28-year occupation of Bethlehem.

"Peace upon you from this place where the Messiah
was born."

-- Yasser Arafat

PLO leader Yasser Arafat arrived for Saturday's celebration
by helicopter. Like an electric current, a sudden surge of
excitement spread through the crowd packed in Manger Square
as the helicopter circled low over the symbol of the hillside
town -- the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto
where tradition says Jesus was born 2000 years ago.

This is a unique Christmas for Bethlehem, a heady mix of
national aspirations converging with the time for traditional
Christian devotions.

"We feel so happy," said one Palestinian who attended the
rally. "You see we are all in this place, we all live as
Muslims, as Christians as brothers." (119K AIFF sound or 119K WAV sound)

As bells from the ancient church rang, Arafat declared from
its roof, "Peace upon you from this place where the Messiah
was born," he said of Jesus, whom he called "a Palestinian."

To the delight of the crowds thronging the small square, he
went on, "Tomorrow, for the first time, under the Palestinian
flag we will celebrate Christmas. I tell the whole world,
Christians around the world that Bethlehem, which is
liberated, is the city of peace."

In its checkered history, Bethlehem has seen rulers come and
go. But this festival of national self-assertion adds a new
dimension to what Manger Square has seen just before
Christmas.

Some Bethlehem Christians express reservations about the
nature of the celebrations.

"It's supposed to be pure Christmas in Bethlehem. No other
politics are supposed to be involved in it," said one
Christian man. (60K AIFF sound or 60K WAV sound)

But others see this year's celebrations as something special,
reflecting the hopes of all.

"It's a special day to Palestinians as a whole and to
Christians since it combines two occasions -- Christmas Day
and a day of a sort of liberation," said another resident. (153K AIFF sound or 153K WAV sound)

Sensitive to possible criticism that Christian religious
celebrations might be overshadowed by Palestinian
celebrations, Arafat advanced his address from Christmas Eve,
when it had originally been scheduled.

The national element of the twin celebrations could now make
way for the more traditional religious ceremonies during
which Arafat will be a guest of honor.